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Cape Town - The Springboks have moved up one position in the latest rankings released by the International Rugby Board (IRB) on Monday.
The Boks are now ranked third, with France shifting down one position after their 17-all Six Nations draw against Ireland in Paris on Sunday.
World champions New Zealand still top the rankings with 91.43 points, followed by Australia on 87.99. The Springboks have 84.34 points, with the French now narrowly behind on 84.20.
The only other movers on the list this week are the Irish, who edged past Argentina into seventh position on 80.30 points. The South Americans shifted down into eighth spot on 80.28.
Wales (82.62) and England (81.34) occupy fifth and sixth spot respectively.
Heyneke Meyer, who was appointed as the new Bok coach in January, made it clear that the main aim for his side is to be the world's No 1 ranked team.
Past Springbok coaches were often guilty of not always picking the best available XV's for some matches. Often the term "looking at the bigger picture" (i.e. a World Cup) was given, which led to a slide in the rankings.
But Meyer clearly has other ideas.
“The World Cup is very important, but you cannot build at Springbok level. The building has to be done at Super Rugby, Currie Cup and the lower levels. Every single game the Springboks play is extremely important, and the mission is to win every game we play. I believe we have to choose the best available team to win every game. I want to see the Springboks back at No 1 in the world, which is where we belong," Meyer was quoted as saying after being appointed Bok coach.
And Meyer will get his first chance at hunting the No 1 spot when South Africa take on England in a three-Test series starting on June 9 in Durban.
IRB world rankings (top 10):
1 New Zealand (91.43)
2 Australia (87.99)
3 South Africa (84.34)
4 France (84.20)
5 Wales (82.62)
6 England (81.34)
7 Ireland (80.30)
8 Argentina (80.28)
9 Tonga (76.63)
10 Samoa (75.81)
The Boks are now ranked third, with France shifting down one position after their 17-all Six Nations draw against Ireland in Paris on Sunday.
World champions New Zealand still top the rankings with 91.43 points, followed by Australia on 87.99. The Springboks have 84.34 points, with the French now narrowly behind on 84.20.
The only other movers on the list this week are the Irish, who edged past Argentina into seventh position on 80.30 points. The South Americans shifted down into eighth spot on 80.28.
Wales (82.62) and England (81.34) occupy fifth and sixth spot respectively.
Heyneke Meyer, who was appointed as the new Bok coach in January, made it clear that the main aim for his side is to be the world's No 1 ranked team.
Past Springbok coaches were often guilty of not always picking the best available XV's for some matches. Often the term "looking at the bigger picture" (i.e. a World Cup) was given, which led to a slide in the rankings.
But Meyer clearly has other ideas.
“The World Cup is very important, but you cannot build at Springbok level. The building has to be done at Super Rugby, Currie Cup and the lower levels. Every single game the Springboks play is extremely important, and the mission is to win every game we play. I believe we have to choose the best available team to win every game. I want to see the Springboks back at No 1 in the world, which is where we belong," Meyer was quoted as saying after being appointed Bok coach.
And Meyer will get his first chance at hunting the No 1 spot when South Africa take on England in a three-Test series starting on June 9 in Durban.
IRB world rankings (top 10):
1 New Zealand (91.43)
2 Australia (87.99)
3 South Africa (84.34)
4 France (84.20)
5 Wales (82.62)
6 England (81.34)
7 Ireland (80.30)
8 Argentina (80.28)
9 Tonga (76.63)
10 Samoa (75.81)
